By Adam Hamilton
Plenty of drama and unanswered questions in Western Australia with chief harness steward Carl Coady dumped just a week after overseeing the Perth Inter Dominion series.
In a shock announcement, Racing and Wagering WA released a statement last Friday announcing Coady’s employment had ended effective immediately.
The statement read in part: “A matter recently came to RWWA’s attention in relation to a failure to properly inform the General Manager Racing Integrity, Denis Borovica, in a timely manner in relation to the handling/management of confidential information which resulted in an internal investigation.
“Whilst there was no evidence of ill intent it was determined that as Stewards actions must be above reproach at all times, the employment relationship would be finalised.
“Given that the matter relates to confidential information RWWA is unable to provide further details at this time.
“Denis Borovica will be working with the Harness integrity staff to ensure the team continues to operate at high level during this period. Recruitment of a Chief Steward Harness will commence after the Christmas period.”
Let’s hope RWWA releases more information soon as the industry and its participants deserve to know.
YANKEE Rockstar is the major casualty from Emma Stewart’s aborted Perth Inter Dominion raid with three of her stable stars.
While Guaranteed and Restrepo are recovering well and on target for the Victorian majors, Yankee Rockstar will go under the knife because of a breathing issue.
On the upside, Stewart has found another potential feature race player in Young Modern, who scored a career-best win in the Group 3 Popular Alm free-for-all (2240m) at Melton last Saturday night.
Despite sitting parked for Gavin Lang ouyside main danger It Is Billy, Young Modern snatched victory by a head in a sprint home of 54.9 and 26.5sec.
Young Modern continues to improve and has now won three times with another four placings in just 11 starts since being switched to Stewart’s stable.
The other Melton feature, the Group 3 Freestone Trotters’ Cup, went to Anton Golino’s former NSW mare Heavenly Sister, who sat parked and found plenty in a 1min58.7sec mile rate for 2240m.
MANY people find Lazarus intimidating, but not the always confident NSW trainer Shane Tritton.
Tritton cannot wait for his exciting four-year-old Salty Robyn to meet Lazarus next month in the countdown to the Chariots Of Fire.
“Salty Robyn has gone to another level and he’s ready for Lazarus now. I’m not saying we’ll beat him, but we’ll give him a real contest with the right draw,” he said.
“I actually can’t wait to race against Lazarus. Salty Robyn’s times and easy way he’s winning show the improvement he’s made.”
Salty Robyn made it six wins from as many runs this campaign when he bolted in by 15m in the Group 3 Christmas Gift final at Menangle last Saturday night.
It’s his explosive speed which most excites, as evidenced by a career-best 1min51sec mile and closing splits of 53.3 and 25.7sec.
The fast-class race at Menangle went to the rejuvenated Allblack Stride in a 1min51.1sec mile.
THE Inter Dominion has come and gone, but the exciting racing continues at Gloucrester Park.
And so it should with a string of features, including the WA and Fremantle Cups just around the corner.
Emerging pacer Mynameiskenny put his hand-up for those races when he won the fast-class race, beating last week’s Inter Dominion consolation winner Cyamach last Friday night.
The big watch runner in the race was WA’s former top pacer David Hercules, who was resuming after 17 months out with injury.
He failed to flatter in eighth spot, casting doubts on his quest to contest the upcoming features.
“He didn’t go as well as we hoped so we’ll assess again before deciding where we head next,” trainer David Thompson said.
The other stars of the Gloucester Park card were emerging pacers Im Full Of Excuses and Rub The Green, who look headed for an exciting showdown in the Xmas Gift final after impressive heat wins.
The Ross Olivieri-trained Im Full Of Excuses made it seven wins on end with an arrogant display in a 1min55.6sec mile rate for 2130m.
Michael Brenna’s Rub The Green had a much harder run and had to dig deep to wear down leader, Bronze Seeker, to win in a 1min55.3sec mile rate.
King Lebron and Livura, who won the other Xmas Gift heats well, certainly won’t be out of their depth in the final either.
On the same card, Gary Hall Sr’s recent Kiwi three-year-old import Herrick Roosevelt made it two wins from as many runs with an easy victory in the opening race.
FORMER Kiwi pacer Three Ways posted one of the fastest last halves in Victorian harness history to win at Ballarat last Friday night.
The son of Mach Three led throughout to upset buzz pacer Cruz Bromac and did so with a sizzling 53.9sec last half – splits of 27.1 and 26.8sec.
The four-year-old was the middle leg of a treble for Andy and Kate Gath with their other wins coming through Ascot Encounter and exciting debutante Beach Surge, by Somebeachsomewhere out of former classy mare Lagoon Lady.
IT is actually sad watching Tasmania’s biggest raceday these days.
Gone is the Grand Circuit status of its biggest race and gone is the state’s other marquee race, the Australian Derby.
Also gone are the superstars names like Westburn Grant, Franco Ice, Our Sir Vancelot, etc who used to head to Tassie when they had the Group 1 Tasmanian Championship.
Last Sunday’s Tasmania Cup carried just a $40,000 purse, attracted just six starters and was won by Brent Lilley’s veteran Victorian and ex-Kiwi pacer Lets Elope, who made it back-to-back wins in the feature.
The other feature on the day, the $30,000 George Johnson for mares was won for the second time by Rohan Hadley’s tough mare Spitfire Lady. She also won it in 2014.
Spitfire Lady sat outside and crushed hot favourite Angel Or Demon, who wilted to run last.
It was good viewing, but tinged when sadness when you consider past winners of the race include: Jane Ellen, Exceptionally Smooth, Sabilize, Innocent Eyes and Make Mine Cullen.
MAYBE Hector means speed in harness racing.
The brilliant Hectorjayjay’s trademark is his speed and he lost no admirers when a close second to Smolda in the recent Perth Inter Dominion final.
At Ballarat last Friday night, Art Major two-year-old Call Me Hector made the most exciting of debuts winning by a thumping 30.8m in a 1min57.2sec mile rate for 1710m.
The colt is a half-brother to nine-race winning mare Call Me Julie (Lombo Pocket Watch-Lady Jillett Lombo) and trained by David Jack, the uncle of prominent young driver Nathan Jack.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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